PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal (1996–2000): Season 1, Episode 3 - Reptilian Revenge/Ghostly Voices - full transcript
In a small town, pet snakes seek revenge. After she experiences what seems to be poltergeist activity, an old rich grieving widow becomes convinced that her dead loving husband is trying to contact her.
These stories are inspired
by the actual case files of the Office
of Scientific Investigation and Research.
Mr. Donazetti? Hello, you here?
Mr. Donazetti, you home?
It's Tyler.
Got your groceries, Mr. Donazetti.
Mr. Donazetti?
Stay here, Tyler, okay?
Come on.
Oh, Jesus!
Thomas...
He's cold.
But he's been here for a while.
What the hell is the the old
could keeping down here ?
I don't know, but they're not here now.
A harmless recluse dies
in a small rural community,
a strange chain of occurrences
follows which terrorizes the residents.
What if any is the connection
between these events?
Well, this was the question
which ultimately confronted the Office
of Scientific Investigation and Research
in one of its most challenging
and frightening cases.
Conrad.
Nothing like a little bright
sun to clear your pounding head.
You just sign here, right there.
Conrad, next time someone looks at
you funny in a bar just walk away.
That Mr. Conrad Paul Reyes
I saw stepping out of here ?
**** D&D.
***
So what'd you get?
That's a preliminary
for Mr. Donazetti.
Like it looked ?
A suicide, single gun shot to the head.
So, that solves that.
What?
You hear that?
Yeah, what the heck is that?
It better not be mice again.
Oh, geez. What was
the last time, pigeons?
***
You see anything?
No, it's okay, it's okay.
No, no !
***
Case manager's log, file number
919101. Doyle here, 1140 hours.
Concern for the safety of
the Blind River citizens,
encourage the County Sheriff's Department
to contact the OSIR for assistance
to deal with a complaint of
reported snake migration phenomena.
This footage is inexplicable.
The magnetic stripe is intact.
***
Oh, I feel for those officers.
What's the matter, Peter ? Not a big fan
of the mysterious slithering serpent?
No, I don't like snakes, no.
Oh, Q, any plausible explanation
come to mind regarding the phenomenon?
Well, a family of snakes traveling
together is common enough.
Depending on habitat,
time of year and so on.
But the variety of species described
here all in this unified group
it defies categorization.
Donner, you and Anton proceed
with the preliminary interviews.
See what the subjects are saying,
and if they all saw the same thing.
We've lived next to Thomas
Donazetti for...
Must be almost 10 years now.
But he sort of kept to
himself, we seldom spoke.
Did you know about his snake collection ?
Sure.
I just didn't realize he had so many
or that they were so dangerous.
He never comes out of his house.
And I just wanted to make
sure that he was okay.
All the snakes came
out at the same time.
They were like moving in a group.
I watched him come toward me.
They passed away in front
of me and that they headed East.
Or Northeast through the parking lot
and they disappeared in the field.
All moving together.
A lot of folks are saying that the
snakes are a ghostly manifestation of him.
But when I went down to that room
and I saw him lying in the floor...
I believe he loved those snakes.
He cared for them as if
they were his own children.
I didn't think I was afraid of snakes,
but I guess I am.
Excuse me, please, excuse me.
You found those snakes yet?
Sheriff, what are you doing about it?
Look, settle down,
settle down all of you.
Okay ? The situation is under control.
We don't even know the
snakes are still around here anymore.
They've probably moved on.
Give me a break, Newman.
You're as scared as the rest of us.
Larry, go home !
We're handling it.
It's nothing to worry about.
Okay?
Excuse me.
Calm down.
Sheriff ?
They're just snakes.
Professor Doyle, have you decided?
We'll be sticking around.
Good, because I have a town full of
very spooked people here with this....
Whatever it is.
Anomalous zoological phenomena.
Anomalous... whatever.
This is LQ Cooper.
Nice to meet you, Sheriff Newman.
He's a zoologist
specializing in herpathology.
Yeah, but... Snakes.
Specifically, the study of exotic and
poisonous snakes and their behavior patterns.
How nice !
It's right through there.
What was he thinking?
Wow, he just had a unique
choice of pets, that's all.
Dogs, cats, even mice,
that I can understand.
Poisonous snakes ? Come on...
You know, he must have taken
very good care of these snakes.
How can you tell?
The snakes must have
been very condented.
There're no tops on these cages.
They wouldn't ***a
hamster, let alone a snake.
What is that?
This is the recently
sheds skin of a cobra.
Cooper...
Is this where they found him?
Yeah, he was leaning up against
there with a gun still in his hand.
*** here left hand.
Hmm.
What?
It's just in 12 years in homicide,
I'm going to see an a suicide
victim with a gun still in his hand.
I'm going to ask Foster to do
another autopsy on his body.
Hey, this is great.
I'm finding evidence for more
than 18 different species of snakes
from all over the world,
the desert, the jungle.
My assessments confirm that this
phenomenon is creating some extreme
phobic related behaviors
in the townspeople.
How is it manifesting itself?
Well, we have increased blood
pressure levels and high anxiety.
Peter, environmental assessment?
There's no hazardous
materials or toxic gases.
And all chemical and geophysical analysis came
up negative as to why a massive group of snakes
would behave as witnessed.
But there have been no reported
injuries from the snakes to date.
Cooper, what have you got?
Okay.
Here are the different species of snake
we've been able to identify so far.
We now have evidence of king
cobras cohabiting with ratlers.
Despite the fact that cobras eat other
snakes and are highly territorial.
And yet the witness has reported this specific
species traveling with a variety of different snakes.
Precisely.
Now, in very extreme and rare cases, I have
seen several different species gathered together
to avoid a common threat like
a forest fire, for example.
But as a general rule, it is
totally contrary to their instincts.
Interesting.
All right, slow and easy, everybody.
Snakes are very sensitive
to movement and to vibration.
Handling an angry crowd of civilians,
no problem.
A mob of angry snakes,
that's out of my league.
Hey, don't worry.
This is the hottest part of the day.
We're not likely to run into the snakes.
Well, let alone any reptiles.
I don't like this.
I really don't like this.
C team, still moving
through quadrant six?
Affirmative.
Anything to report?
No. Negative.
And I don't expect to find anything
based on the present circumstances.
How's Peter holding up?
Oh, I'm just fine, thanks,
Anton. I'm living out a fantasy.
Walking through the forest, trying to
flush out an angry *** poisonous snakes.
It's a lot of fun.
****
Look at this.
Peter's readings are shooting up.
Donahue, what's going on?
I've got movement.
Directly Southwest.
Moving fast.
Coming right at us.
Visuals?
Negative.
What's happening?
I don't know.
Something was coming towards
us, and now I've got movement.
Axon, don't move !
God !
Oh Lord !
Doyle ?
I think we found them.
Cooper, what do we do?
Don't move.
They're passing right through us.
Freeze it there.
It's remarkable.
That appears to be a Burmese python.
About 20 feet long.
It's capable of crushing the life out of
a grown man in less than three minutes.
Oh, man !
Come on, Peter.
You had to admit it was
kind of exhilarating.
Exhilarating ? No, that's
not the word I'd use.
Relax, Peter.
You're all right.
The team's okay.
Let's just take better precautionary measures
the next time we venture into the field.
Why didn't the snakes
strike at any of the team?
Well, if they were being threatened
by some unseen or unknown force,
they didn't demonstrate any of
the traditional warning signals.
You know, the tail rattling, rubbing
scales, hood spreading, wild hissing.
So what were they doing?
They weren't attacking,
and they weren't retreating.
They were just just moving
forward in one direction.
Sure, it's like a migration, but in a manner
and a form like nothing I have ever seen before.
Case file update 1345 hours.
As the sightings of the
snakes have increased,
citizens of Blind River have
essentially evacuated the streets,
and are remaining in their
homes and places of work.
On a positive note, our Bravo Team managed
to capture and safely secure a rat snake
during a first-hand encounter with
the phenomenon in a local supermarket.
This snake is not behaving normally.
What do you mean normal?
Well, usually this time of day a snake
should be basking, conserving energy.
Why is he moving so much?
I think he may be trying
to rejoin the other snakes.
What's that for?
I've inserted a PE1 tracking
device inside the mouse.
Yeah ! A homing transmitter.
That snake is going to eat that mouse?
That snake could eat a tennis ball.
You're kidding !
I think I'll just
leave you to your work.
Hey, hey, don't go away, Peter.
- What?
- I need you help.
What do you want me to do?
Hold this.
You got it?
X marks the spot.
The snakes are here.
They must have got in through
that crack in the foundation.
Why here?
Let's do an immediate analysis of air, soil
and vegetation, to see if anything turns out.
What the devil's going on ?
Donahue ?
Sir, do you mind stepping to the curb?
Just give us a couple of minutes.
Well, the hell I will.
I don't want a bunch of suits
stropping around my front yard.
Not until I know why.
Sir, it appears the snakes have
relocated here in your basement.
The snakes are here ?
Well, as a matter of fact, in very
likely under where you're standing.
Snakes are in my house ?
How could this happen ?
That's what we're trying to determine.
You're not kidding, are you?
Well, first my house
gets broken into now this.
Look.
All right, we found them. What's next?
That's for our objective termination.
That sounds good.
No.
Not yet.
The snakes are dangerous, Connor.
They're a threat to the community.
Come on, come on, guys.
These snakes aren't afraid
to anyone at the moment.
There is no indication.
I say, we keep observing them.
I don't understand how we can just
continue letting them roam around.
I'm going to go with Professor Cooper's
recommendation for the time being.
Good enough.
Hey !
A pattern is forming.
I can't call it anything except
some bizarre form of migration path.
Meaning?
Well, Mr. Edmunds informed us
that he'd had a breaking the night before
we found the snakes in his basement.
And we've discovered
several other break-ins
that coincide with dates and times of
other reports of snake sightings.
Let's come back to
where this case started.
What are the events surrounding Mr.
Donazetti's death? Why did he commit suicide?
Well, contrary to public opinion,
his posthumous psychological makeup
is presented to me as a very
docile and harmless gentleman.
And since he didn't leave a note...
It's already to be late.
That something has come up.
Our autopsy report shows the
deceased was strangled prior
to receiving the gunshot wound.
Murdered ?
I don't understand.
I mean, Thomas was a little
sideways the wall, but...
Did he have any known enemies?
This is a small town.
Everyone knows everyone's business.
He didn't know about
Donazetti's collection ?
Well, no, but there was a rumor he
was keeping something down there.
We thought it was his secret fortune.
Never mentioned something
about a break-in ?
Yeah, we've had about
six till last month.
Do some checking.
See, we can connect this snake
migration to those break-ins.
Well, we have moments,
Northeast quadrants.
Alright, let's move in.
You're quick by cafe.
Your front street.
Hey, I thought I told you
to stay the hell out of here.
Come on, man, open up !
Let me in! Please!
**** extreme caution.
Come on, they're in there.
Snakes ! Come on !
Nothing so far.
We lost the signal in
the snake's transmitter.
***
We see him.
It's too quiet.
I don't like it.
No sign of the snakes, so far.
He's been bitten
probably a hundred times.
He's dead.
What a way to go.
I'm out of here.
We got a match from
Ilinois for the prints
we've found on the Smith &
Wesson that killed Donazetti.
There it is.
Conrad Paul Reyes, age 24
history of misdemeanors.
Three convictions.
Current address...
The Blind Tiver morgue.
Final log update.
Thomas Donazetti was
murdered by Conrad Paul Reyes.
Reyes suffered over 300 bites.
Not to mention that several of his
bones were crushed and shattered.
His motive appeared to be money
and Donazetti's death, the
result of a robbery gone bad.
Case manager, Conrad Doyle.
Out.
Over the next several weeks, the
residents reported dozens of rare snakes
found dead from unknown causes in the
woods surrounding the Blind River region.
Now perhaps the old bans etheric life energy, or
some type of non-corporial, psyinteractive force
manipulated the many different snakes he
cared for to hunt down and kill his murderer.
Then there's another
speculation open to us.
It may not be a scientific one,
but it seems to describe perfectly the
very heart of what occurred in this case.
That Donazetti's snakes were
acting out of love and revenge.
Well, everything's
back to normal, Katie.
But I'd like to prescribe
a light sedative.
I don't take drugs, Willard.
Now, Katie, you're here all alone and
after all that you've been through recently...
I'm not quite the wilting lily you seem to
think I am, and anyway Jeff will be here soon.
Alright.
If you want to accept my
medical help, take some advice.
If you think you're seeing those things
again, you take that camcorder I give you.
- And...
- You still don't believe me, do you?
It's not that I don't want to,
Katie. I'm just suggesting...
Well, I'm going to prove it to you.
Now, good night, Willard.
Good night, Katie.
I'll call you soon.
Jeffrey, is that you?
Who's there ?
No !
Ghosts and apparitions have been written about
throughout the evolution of story telling.
Human experience provides a
factual basis for these subjects.
Now research indicates
most hauntings are harmless.
In many sightings, ghosts
are seen by only one person,
the phantom's lindred
spirit among the living.
Catherine Cartwright misses her deceased husband
Robert, her kindred spirit among the dead.
Is Catherine's love for her husband so strong that
invites him to reach out from beyond his grave,
or is her need so desperate that she has
created these disturbing experiences herself ?
Oh, Jeffrey, it is so good
to have you home again.
Everything okay, Mother ?
You really had me worried the other day.
Oh, I'm fine, darling.
We have to try to get
you out of the house more.
Maybe the club for lunch.
Hmm.
It's you I'm worried about.
You work too hard.
Just like your father.
You really shouldn't stay up so late.
Don't worry, Mother.
I'll be turning in soon.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Jeffrey !
God ! Mother !
Again ?!
When did these episodes begin?
Well, about three months ago.
Her son Jeffrey called me.
He said Catherine claimed that she was
hearing tapping noise, strange sounds,
and saw some furniture
move inexplainedly.
He's very concerned
about her state of mind.
Is she the only one to
experience this phenomenon ?
Jeffrey was home at the time, but
he didn't see or hear anything.
And your diagnosis ?
Well, I discussed with Jeffrey
the possibility of placing Katie somewhere
where she could get more attention.
Then she gave me this.
She asked me not to show it to anybody
else until I got a professional opinion.
After I saw this, I wasn't so sure that
committing her was the right course of action.
What do you think?
How was Mrs. Cartwright's
condition since this incident ?
I'm concerned.
She continues to report these
sightings, and with her weaken state...
I mean, they're exhausting her.
She very nearly died last week.
And you're saying no
one else has seen this ?
Let's keep it that way.
And then I turned the
corner and there it was.
Yes, I can feel it.
But this spirit does
not trust my intentions.
Madam Sophie...
I hope that you won't mind, but I have
taken the liberty of writing out of a retainer.
I do so hope that you will help me to
contact this whatever or whoever it is.
Yes, I'd be glad to try it.
But we should arrange to
talk about it at a later time.
You have my number?
Yes.
Who wass that, Katie?
Madam Sophie.
She is a very well-repeated
spiritual advisor from New York.
Katie, I'd like you to
meet Dr. Curtis Rollins.
He agreed to consult
with me on your case.
His organization specializes
in dealing with the unknown.
Oh, then you must know Madam Sophie.
I'm afraid not.
We rely on a slightly
more scientific approach.
I see.
Well, Dr. Rollins, what is
your diagnosis of my case?
Am I crazy?
Or maybe just a little senile ?
Neither I'm sure.
Last week, this chandelier
started swinging.
And this is another picture
that keeps going askew.
May I ?
Yes.
Its reframing
it's too formal.
This was Robert's study.
Nothing's been moved, of course.
You said there's been
no activity in here.
No.
Oh, my goodness !
I've forgotten about this photograph.
It was Robert's favorite.
It was taken three years ago
on our wedding anniversary.
There's a lovely piece.
Yes.
Yes, Robert loved beautiful things.
Especially his carpets.
He had them cleaned every year.
We did the up floors already, last year.
Case file number 44114.
Curtis Rollins, case manager.
Day three, Cartwright estate.
Covered operations established.
Only Catherine Cartwright
and Dr. Marlow are aware
and aprised of our investigation
due to its undercover nature.
Preliminary examination of
the house and adjacent grounds
where the subject experienced
significant phenomena,
specifically the northwest quadrant
adjoin the structure it's on the way.
At 0900 hours this morning, interviews with
locals were begun by Doahue and Donner.
Sorry.
That's police business.
Come on.
From one cop to an exbadge.
No kidding !
Used to work homicide.
Chicago.
Was that right?
Well, listen, the last month or so
I've responded to a couple of
distress calls up at the house.
So they asked us to keep it quiet.
Keep white quiet ?
You know, the stories,
ghosts, junk like that.
Look, we found nothing.
Just a lonely old lady.
I'm telling you, I don't think
she's doing all that wealth.
Landscape architect, huh?
Yeah.
Once a month they hired
me and a couple of guys
come up here and fix up the gardens.
Seems like a lot of work.
Money must be good.
Well, you think so, wouldn't you?
But you would be wrong.
Cartwrights are about
as cheap as they come.
It's probably how they got so rich.
You think they'd mind if we took a look
around just for research purposes ?
No, I don't care.
Mrs. Cartwright, might.
What do you mean?
Well, the old lady is going bonkers.
I mean, she's losing her
marbles fast, you know...
I mean, she runs around here
in the middle of the night.
I mean, she's loco in cabeza.
Catch my drift.
Well, the good townspeople
have made up their mind about Mrs.
Cartwright's state of mental health.
Psychological assessment of Mrs.
Cartwright has been completed.
And?
Results normal.
What about the environmentals ?
Baseline results,
we are in the normal ranges,
chemical and substance analysis
showed no contributing factors.
What about all the
circumstantial evidence?
I'm taking that into consideration.
Let's see what else comes in.
Mother, if you see anything
tonight, please call me.
It's very sweet of your
darling, but not necessary.
Mother, I'll be in my study.
Good night, mother.
Jeffrey?
Katie !
Robert?
Oh Robert !
Katie !
Robert ?
It is you ?
Please, tell me.
Robert?
Katie, take my hand.
Katie !
Robert?
I love you !
No!
No ! Robert !
Please, mother, this
can't keep happening.
I'm really getting worried about you.
It is your father calling me.
Didn't you hear him?
It's just a whim, mother.
And your imagination.
You scared him away.
Please, mother.
Try to get some rest.
I'll call Dr. Marlow and have
him come around in the morning.
Something definitely
drew her into that room.
Listen to this.
Robert?
The audio was garbled, but she
identifies the voice as Robert.
It must have been very close.
Extremely.
We've also learn Catherine and Robert
Cartwright both attended church regularly.
Indicating a well-established belief
in the probability of an afterlife.
Maybe she really believes it's him.
Let's review her preliminar interview.
You know, it's a funny thing.
But all these events started to happen
on the anniversary of the day
that Robert proposed to me.
Now who else could know that?
I'm not a superstitious person,
but I like to keep an open mind.
As I was saying to
Robert, only the other...
I'm in Jeffrey.
As I was saying to
Jeffrey the other day,
what if this isn't a
Poltergeist or something?
What if it's a spirit?
A lost spirit.
Robert's spirit.
Oh, well.
I suppose I don't know
what to take anymore.
After 50 years of marriage, there
certainly would be an emotional bond.
Jeffrey Cartwrights booked on
the morning flight to New York,
for a two-day business trip.
As soon as he's gone,
let's set up complete onsite
environmental surveillance and monitoring.
We have to see what she saw.
Okay, we're all done here.
The demographic and surveillance
cameras installed on the second floor.
Affirmative.
We have visuals.
Analysis is back on the fiber optics
founder and circumstances assessment.
And?
Well, it was spec.
Whoever ordered these renovations
was planning for the 21st century,
and they spent a bundle doing it.
Get the lab looked into the
design this hardware.
And what company installed it.
Yes?
Mrs. Cartwright ?
Dr. Rollins, please come in.
You wanted to talk to me?
You come highly
recommended by Dr. Marlow,
but is all this really necessary?
It is, Mrs. Cartwright.
All is sneaking about its preposterous.
Mrs. Cartwright,
my team has found some odd electrical
installations in your house,
fiber optics,
state-of-the-art conduits.
What are you trying to tell me?
What if this phenomenon is not Robert?
I felt his presence.
Then help us prove what it really is.
Let us continue our work.
What do you want me to do?
Act as you always do.
Let's do the rest.
You won't even know we're here.
I hope you haven't scared him away.
I hope so too.
Camera 12 in position.
Here's the house.
Second floor east wing.
It's a subject under bedroom.
0100 hours, all stations check in.
Hold it ! All stations?
Sensors are picking up something.
Repeat, laser scan detecting
movement in the southwest quadrant.
*** Meet me in sector 7.
I'm going in.
We'll stay on the visuals.
It's starting.
We've detected electrical activity
in close proximity to the subject.
Confirming circuit surge.
Standing by.
Team fanning out.
I'm entering the location.
Any change ?
Something seems to be moving
through the walls of the structure.
Stand by for status upgrade.
Standing by.
What's Katherine doing ?
She seems fine.
Vital signs are still
within normal range.
Still no visuals on the phenomenon ?
I'm tracking out identified
movement in the southwest centre.
Katie, join me !
Katie, come to me !
I'm coming, Robert.
Katie !
Wait, wait, we've lost her.
What is saying ?
Oh, she just pulled off her electrodes.
Maintain visual surveillance.
Affirmative.
I'm inside.
Katie !
Come to me.
Katie, come to me.
Katie.
Come to me.
Katie.
Take my hand.
Yes, darling.
Robert !
Join me !
At last !
Katie !
Katie !
Stay down, Mrs. Cardwright.
Katie !
My vision disabled.
Donner, talk to me.
We're getting strong thermal
readings from your location.
How many figures on the scan?
Three.
Tighten the frame.
One floor, they are moving fast.
***
They just moved right past
you, heading southeast.
Wait, what's this?
I think I found the source.
I'm turning it down.
Location secured.
Donahue ?
The targets moving outside.
Security's on the way to intercept.
Don't even flinch.
They've got him.
Tomas, it was you !
Local law enforcement's on it way.
Contact Jeffrey Cardwright.
Tell him his mother
needs him right away.
Right.
Come to me.
Take my hand.
Katie,
join me.
Katie.
Damn wiring !
Welcome home, Mr. Cardwright.
Who the hell are you?
Friend of the family.
Jeffrey Cardwright.
You're under arrest for larceny
by scheme and aggravated assault.
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be
used against you when a court of law.
If you need it attorney, the
State will provide one for you.
Do you understand these rights?
Right from the start
you've suspected.
When Dr. Marlow first
showed me your tape,
I noticed how the camcorder
responded to the light show.
When we saw the flare, we needed to
investigate to be certain was a hoax.
Mrs. Cardwright, I'm sorry
for the way it turned out.
****
The money.
Oh, Jeffrey.
And I thought it was Robert.
I'm just a silly old fool.
No, Mrs. Cardwright.
I think maybe Robert, wherever his
spirit is, feels the same as you do.
A connection.
Final log.
Case number 44114.
Our investigation revealed
that Jeffrey Cardwright
had rigged the house with
state-of-the-art special effects.
It was all controlled
by one Thomas Regetti,
Jeffrey Cardwright's accomplice.
As so heir to the family fortune,
Cardwright admitted under police interrogation
that he intended to have his mother committed
after breaking down her
psychological stability.
Case manager, Curtis Rollins out.
The strange occurrences
at the Cartwright Mansion
had nothing in fact to do with the love
Catherine held for her deceased husband Robert.
They were a cruel and malicious hoax
engineered by her heartless and greedy son.
So perhaps it is not the ghosts of loved
ones we should be apprehensive about.
But rather the darker motives
of the living human heart.
I'm Dan Akroyd for Psi Factor.
by the actual case files of the Office
of Scientific Investigation and Research.
Mr. Donazetti? Hello, you here?
Mr. Donazetti, you home?
It's Tyler.
Got your groceries, Mr. Donazetti.
Mr. Donazetti?
Stay here, Tyler, okay?
Come on.
Oh, Jesus!
Thomas...
He's cold.
But he's been here for a while.
What the hell is the the old
could keeping down here ?
I don't know, but they're not here now.
A harmless recluse dies
in a small rural community,
a strange chain of occurrences
follows which terrorizes the residents.
What if any is the connection
between these events?
Well, this was the question
which ultimately confronted the Office
of Scientific Investigation and Research
in one of its most challenging
and frightening cases.
Conrad.
Nothing like a little bright
sun to clear your pounding head.
You just sign here, right there.
Conrad, next time someone looks at
you funny in a bar just walk away.
That Mr. Conrad Paul Reyes
I saw stepping out of here ?
**** D&D.
***
So what'd you get?
That's a preliminary
for Mr. Donazetti.
Like it looked ?
A suicide, single gun shot to the head.
So, that solves that.
What?
You hear that?
Yeah, what the heck is that?
It better not be mice again.
Oh, geez. What was
the last time, pigeons?
***
You see anything?
No, it's okay, it's okay.
No, no !
***
Case manager's log, file number
919101. Doyle here, 1140 hours.
Concern for the safety of
the Blind River citizens,
encourage the County Sheriff's Department
to contact the OSIR for assistance
to deal with a complaint of
reported snake migration phenomena.
This footage is inexplicable.
The magnetic stripe is intact.
***
Oh, I feel for those officers.
What's the matter, Peter ? Not a big fan
of the mysterious slithering serpent?
No, I don't like snakes, no.
Oh, Q, any plausible explanation
come to mind regarding the phenomenon?
Well, a family of snakes traveling
together is common enough.
Depending on habitat,
time of year and so on.
But the variety of species described
here all in this unified group
it defies categorization.
Donner, you and Anton proceed
with the preliminary interviews.
See what the subjects are saying,
and if they all saw the same thing.
We've lived next to Thomas
Donazetti for...
Must be almost 10 years now.
But he sort of kept to
himself, we seldom spoke.
Did you know about his snake collection ?
Sure.
I just didn't realize he had so many
or that they were so dangerous.
He never comes out of his house.
And I just wanted to make
sure that he was okay.
All the snakes came
out at the same time.
They were like moving in a group.
I watched him come toward me.
They passed away in front
of me and that they headed East.
Or Northeast through the parking lot
and they disappeared in the field.
All moving together.
A lot of folks are saying that the
snakes are a ghostly manifestation of him.
But when I went down to that room
and I saw him lying in the floor...
I believe he loved those snakes.
He cared for them as if
they were his own children.
I didn't think I was afraid of snakes,
but I guess I am.
Excuse me, please, excuse me.
You found those snakes yet?
Sheriff, what are you doing about it?
Look, settle down,
settle down all of you.
Okay ? The situation is under control.
We don't even know the
snakes are still around here anymore.
They've probably moved on.
Give me a break, Newman.
You're as scared as the rest of us.
Larry, go home !
We're handling it.
It's nothing to worry about.
Okay?
Excuse me.
Calm down.
Sheriff ?
They're just snakes.
Professor Doyle, have you decided?
We'll be sticking around.
Good, because I have a town full of
very spooked people here with this....
Whatever it is.
Anomalous zoological phenomena.
Anomalous... whatever.
This is LQ Cooper.
Nice to meet you, Sheriff Newman.
He's a zoologist
specializing in herpathology.
Yeah, but... Snakes.
Specifically, the study of exotic and
poisonous snakes and their behavior patterns.
How nice !
It's right through there.
What was he thinking?
Wow, he just had a unique
choice of pets, that's all.
Dogs, cats, even mice,
that I can understand.
Poisonous snakes ? Come on...
You know, he must have taken
very good care of these snakes.
How can you tell?
The snakes must have
been very condented.
There're no tops on these cages.
They wouldn't ***a
hamster, let alone a snake.
What is that?
This is the recently
sheds skin of a cobra.
Cooper...
Is this where they found him?
Yeah, he was leaning up against
there with a gun still in his hand.
*** here left hand.
Hmm.
What?
It's just in 12 years in homicide,
I'm going to see an a suicide
victim with a gun still in his hand.
I'm going to ask Foster to do
another autopsy on his body.
Hey, this is great.
I'm finding evidence for more
than 18 different species of snakes
from all over the world,
the desert, the jungle.
My assessments confirm that this
phenomenon is creating some extreme
phobic related behaviors
in the townspeople.
How is it manifesting itself?
Well, we have increased blood
pressure levels and high anxiety.
Peter, environmental assessment?
There's no hazardous
materials or toxic gases.
And all chemical and geophysical analysis came
up negative as to why a massive group of snakes
would behave as witnessed.
But there have been no reported
injuries from the snakes to date.
Cooper, what have you got?
Okay.
Here are the different species of snake
we've been able to identify so far.
We now have evidence of king
cobras cohabiting with ratlers.
Despite the fact that cobras eat other
snakes and are highly territorial.
And yet the witness has reported this specific
species traveling with a variety of different snakes.
Precisely.
Now, in very extreme and rare cases, I have
seen several different species gathered together
to avoid a common threat like
a forest fire, for example.
But as a general rule, it is
totally contrary to their instincts.
Interesting.
All right, slow and easy, everybody.
Snakes are very sensitive
to movement and to vibration.
Handling an angry crowd of civilians,
no problem.
A mob of angry snakes,
that's out of my league.
Hey, don't worry.
This is the hottest part of the day.
We're not likely to run into the snakes.
Well, let alone any reptiles.
I don't like this.
I really don't like this.
C team, still moving
through quadrant six?
Affirmative.
Anything to report?
No. Negative.
And I don't expect to find anything
based on the present circumstances.
How's Peter holding up?
Oh, I'm just fine, thanks,
Anton. I'm living out a fantasy.
Walking through the forest, trying to
flush out an angry *** poisonous snakes.
It's a lot of fun.
****
Look at this.
Peter's readings are shooting up.
Donahue, what's going on?
I've got movement.
Directly Southwest.
Moving fast.
Coming right at us.
Visuals?
Negative.
What's happening?
I don't know.
Something was coming towards
us, and now I've got movement.
Axon, don't move !
God !
Oh Lord !
Doyle ?
I think we found them.
Cooper, what do we do?
Don't move.
They're passing right through us.
Freeze it there.
It's remarkable.
That appears to be a Burmese python.
About 20 feet long.
It's capable of crushing the life out of
a grown man in less than three minutes.
Oh, man !
Come on, Peter.
You had to admit it was
kind of exhilarating.
Exhilarating ? No, that's
not the word I'd use.
Relax, Peter.
You're all right.
The team's okay.
Let's just take better precautionary measures
the next time we venture into the field.
Why didn't the snakes
strike at any of the team?
Well, if they were being threatened
by some unseen or unknown force,
they didn't demonstrate any of
the traditional warning signals.
You know, the tail rattling, rubbing
scales, hood spreading, wild hissing.
So what were they doing?
They weren't attacking,
and they weren't retreating.
They were just just moving
forward in one direction.
Sure, it's like a migration, but in a manner
and a form like nothing I have ever seen before.
Case file update 1345 hours.
As the sightings of the
snakes have increased,
citizens of Blind River have
essentially evacuated the streets,
and are remaining in their
homes and places of work.
On a positive note, our Bravo Team managed
to capture and safely secure a rat snake
during a first-hand encounter with
the phenomenon in a local supermarket.
This snake is not behaving normally.
What do you mean normal?
Well, usually this time of day a snake
should be basking, conserving energy.
Why is he moving so much?
I think he may be trying
to rejoin the other snakes.
What's that for?
I've inserted a PE1 tracking
device inside the mouse.
Yeah ! A homing transmitter.
That snake is going to eat that mouse?
That snake could eat a tennis ball.
You're kidding !
I think I'll just
leave you to your work.
Hey, hey, don't go away, Peter.
- What?
- I need you help.
What do you want me to do?
Hold this.
You got it?
X marks the spot.
The snakes are here.
They must have got in through
that crack in the foundation.
Why here?
Let's do an immediate analysis of air, soil
and vegetation, to see if anything turns out.
What the devil's going on ?
Donahue ?
Sir, do you mind stepping to the curb?
Just give us a couple of minutes.
Well, the hell I will.
I don't want a bunch of suits
stropping around my front yard.
Not until I know why.
Sir, it appears the snakes have
relocated here in your basement.
The snakes are here ?
Well, as a matter of fact, in very
likely under where you're standing.
Snakes are in my house ?
How could this happen ?
That's what we're trying to determine.
You're not kidding, are you?
Well, first my house
gets broken into now this.
Look.
All right, we found them. What's next?
That's for our objective termination.
That sounds good.
No.
Not yet.
The snakes are dangerous, Connor.
They're a threat to the community.
Come on, come on, guys.
These snakes aren't afraid
to anyone at the moment.
There is no indication.
I say, we keep observing them.
I don't understand how we can just
continue letting them roam around.
I'm going to go with Professor Cooper's
recommendation for the time being.
Good enough.
Hey !
A pattern is forming.
I can't call it anything except
some bizarre form of migration path.
Meaning?
Well, Mr. Edmunds informed us
that he'd had a breaking the night before
we found the snakes in his basement.
And we've discovered
several other break-ins
that coincide with dates and times of
other reports of snake sightings.
Let's come back to
where this case started.
What are the events surrounding Mr.
Donazetti's death? Why did he commit suicide?
Well, contrary to public opinion,
his posthumous psychological makeup
is presented to me as a very
docile and harmless gentleman.
And since he didn't leave a note...
It's already to be late.
That something has come up.
Our autopsy report shows the
deceased was strangled prior
to receiving the gunshot wound.
Murdered ?
I don't understand.
I mean, Thomas was a little
sideways the wall, but...
Did he have any known enemies?
This is a small town.
Everyone knows everyone's business.
He didn't know about
Donazetti's collection ?
Well, no, but there was a rumor he
was keeping something down there.
We thought it was his secret fortune.
Never mentioned something
about a break-in ?
Yeah, we've had about
six till last month.
Do some checking.
See, we can connect this snake
migration to those break-ins.
Well, we have moments,
Northeast quadrants.
Alright, let's move in.
You're quick by cafe.
Your front street.
Hey, I thought I told you
to stay the hell out of here.
Come on, man, open up !
Let me in! Please!
**** extreme caution.
Come on, they're in there.
Snakes ! Come on !
Nothing so far.
We lost the signal in
the snake's transmitter.
***
We see him.
It's too quiet.
I don't like it.
No sign of the snakes, so far.
He's been bitten
probably a hundred times.
He's dead.
What a way to go.
I'm out of here.
We got a match from
Ilinois for the prints
we've found on the Smith &
Wesson that killed Donazetti.
There it is.
Conrad Paul Reyes, age 24
history of misdemeanors.
Three convictions.
Current address...
The Blind Tiver morgue.
Final log update.
Thomas Donazetti was
murdered by Conrad Paul Reyes.
Reyes suffered over 300 bites.
Not to mention that several of his
bones were crushed and shattered.
His motive appeared to be money
and Donazetti's death, the
result of a robbery gone bad.
Case manager, Conrad Doyle.
Out.
Over the next several weeks, the
residents reported dozens of rare snakes
found dead from unknown causes in the
woods surrounding the Blind River region.
Now perhaps the old bans etheric life energy, or
some type of non-corporial, psyinteractive force
manipulated the many different snakes he
cared for to hunt down and kill his murderer.
Then there's another
speculation open to us.
It may not be a scientific one,
but it seems to describe perfectly the
very heart of what occurred in this case.
That Donazetti's snakes were
acting out of love and revenge.
Well, everything's
back to normal, Katie.
But I'd like to prescribe
a light sedative.
I don't take drugs, Willard.
Now, Katie, you're here all alone and
after all that you've been through recently...
I'm not quite the wilting lily you seem to
think I am, and anyway Jeff will be here soon.
Alright.
If you want to accept my
medical help, take some advice.
If you think you're seeing those things
again, you take that camcorder I give you.
- And...
- You still don't believe me, do you?
It's not that I don't want to,
Katie. I'm just suggesting...
Well, I'm going to prove it to you.
Now, good night, Willard.
Good night, Katie.
I'll call you soon.
Jeffrey, is that you?
Who's there ?
No !
Ghosts and apparitions have been written about
throughout the evolution of story telling.
Human experience provides a
factual basis for these subjects.
Now research indicates
most hauntings are harmless.
In many sightings, ghosts
are seen by only one person,
the phantom's lindred
spirit among the living.
Catherine Cartwright misses her deceased husband
Robert, her kindred spirit among the dead.
Is Catherine's love for her husband so strong that
invites him to reach out from beyond his grave,
or is her need so desperate that she has
created these disturbing experiences herself ?
Oh, Jeffrey, it is so good
to have you home again.
Everything okay, Mother ?
You really had me worried the other day.
Oh, I'm fine, darling.
We have to try to get
you out of the house more.
Maybe the club for lunch.
Hmm.
It's you I'm worried about.
You work too hard.
Just like your father.
You really shouldn't stay up so late.
Don't worry, Mother.
I'll be turning in soon.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Jeffrey !
God ! Mother !
Again ?!
When did these episodes begin?
Well, about three months ago.
Her son Jeffrey called me.
He said Catherine claimed that she was
hearing tapping noise, strange sounds,
and saw some furniture
move inexplainedly.
He's very concerned
about her state of mind.
Is she the only one to
experience this phenomenon ?
Jeffrey was home at the time, but
he didn't see or hear anything.
And your diagnosis ?
Well, I discussed with Jeffrey
the possibility of placing Katie somewhere
where she could get more attention.
Then she gave me this.
She asked me not to show it to anybody
else until I got a professional opinion.
After I saw this, I wasn't so sure that
committing her was the right course of action.
What do you think?
How was Mrs. Cartwright's
condition since this incident ?
I'm concerned.
She continues to report these
sightings, and with her weaken state...
I mean, they're exhausting her.
She very nearly died last week.
And you're saying no
one else has seen this ?
Let's keep it that way.
And then I turned the
corner and there it was.
Yes, I can feel it.
But this spirit does
not trust my intentions.
Madam Sophie...
I hope that you won't mind, but I have
taken the liberty of writing out of a retainer.
I do so hope that you will help me to
contact this whatever or whoever it is.
Yes, I'd be glad to try it.
But we should arrange to
talk about it at a later time.
You have my number?
Yes.
Who wass that, Katie?
Madam Sophie.
She is a very well-repeated
spiritual advisor from New York.
Katie, I'd like you to
meet Dr. Curtis Rollins.
He agreed to consult
with me on your case.
His organization specializes
in dealing with the unknown.
Oh, then you must know Madam Sophie.
I'm afraid not.
We rely on a slightly
more scientific approach.
I see.
Well, Dr. Rollins, what is
your diagnosis of my case?
Am I crazy?
Or maybe just a little senile ?
Neither I'm sure.
Last week, this chandelier
started swinging.
And this is another picture
that keeps going askew.
May I ?
Yes.
Its reframing
it's too formal.
This was Robert's study.
Nothing's been moved, of course.
You said there's been
no activity in here.
No.
Oh, my goodness !
I've forgotten about this photograph.
It was Robert's favorite.
It was taken three years ago
on our wedding anniversary.
There's a lovely piece.
Yes.
Yes, Robert loved beautiful things.
Especially his carpets.
He had them cleaned every year.
We did the up floors already, last year.
Case file number 44114.
Curtis Rollins, case manager.
Day three, Cartwright estate.
Covered operations established.
Only Catherine Cartwright
and Dr. Marlow are aware
and aprised of our investigation
due to its undercover nature.
Preliminary examination of
the house and adjacent grounds
where the subject experienced
significant phenomena,
specifically the northwest quadrant
adjoin the structure it's on the way.
At 0900 hours this morning, interviews with
locals were begun by Doahue and Donner.
Sorry.
That's police business.
Come on.
From one cop to an exbadge.
No kidding !
Used to work homicide.
Chicago.
Was that right?
Well, listen, the last month or so
I've responded to a couple of
distress calls up at the house.
So they asked us to keep it quiet.
Keep white quiet ?
You know, the stories,
ghosts, junk like that.
Look, we found nothing.
Just a lonely old lady.
I'm telling you, I don't think
she's doing all that wealth.
Landscape architect, huh?
Yeah.
Once a month they hired
me and a couple of guys
come up here and fix up the gardens.
Seems like a lot of work.
Money must be good.
Well, you think so, wouldn't you?
But you would be wrong.
Cartwrights are about
as cheap as they come.
It's probably how they got so rich.
You think they'd mind if we took a look
around just for research purposes ?
No, I don't care.
Mrs. Cartwright, might.
What do you mean?
Well, the old lady is going bonkers.
I mean, she's losing her
marbles fast, you know...
I mean, she runs around here
in the middle of the night.
I mean, she's loco in cabeza.
Catch my drift.
Well, the good townspeople
have made up their mind about Mrs.
Cartwright's state of mental health.
Psychological assessment of Mrs.
Cartwright has been completed.
And?
Results normal.
What about the environmentals ?
Baseline results,
we are in the normal ranges,
chemical and substance analysis
showed no contributing factors.
What about all the
circumstantial evidence?
I'm taking that into consideration.
Let's see what else comes in.
Mother, if you see anything
tonight, please call me.
It's very sweet of your
darling, but not necessary.
Mother, I'll be in my study.
Good night, mother.
Jeffrey?
Katie !
Robert?
Oh Robert !
Katie !
Robert ?
It is you ?
Please, tell me.
Robert?
Katie, take my hand.
Katie !
Robert?
I love you !
No!
No ! Robert !
Please, mother, this
can't keep happening.
I'm really getting worried about you.
It is your father calling me.
Didn't you hear him?
It's just a whim, mother.
And your imagination.
You scared him away.
Please, mother.
Try to get some rest.
I'll call Dr. Marlow and have
him come around in the morning.
Something definitely
drew her into that room.
Listen to this.
Robert?
The audio was garbled, but she
identifies the voice as Robert.
It must have been very close.
Extremely.
We've also learn Catherine and Robert
Cartwright both attended church regularly.
Indicating a well-established belief
in the probability of an afterlife.
Maybe she really believes it's him.
Let's review her preliminar interview.
You know, it's a funny thing.
But all these events started to happen
on the anniversary of the day
that Robert proposed to me.
Now who else could know that?
I'm not a superstitious person,
but I like to keep an open mind.
As I was saying to
Robert, only the other...
I'm in Jeffrey.
As I was saying to
Jeffrey the other day,
what if this isn't a
Poltergeist or something?
What if it's a spirit?
A lost spirit.
Robert's spirit.
Oh, well.
I suppose I don't know
what to take anymore.
After 50 years of marriage, there
certainly would be an emotional bond.
Jeffrey Cartwrights booked on
the morning flight to New York,
for a two-day business trip.
As soon as he's gone,
let's set up complete onsite
environmental surveillance and monitoring.
We have to see what she saw.
Okay, we're all done here.
The demographic and surveillance
cameras installed on the second floor.
Affirmative.
We have visuals.
Analysis is back on the fiber optics
founder and circumstances assessment.
And?
Well, it was spec.
Whoever ordered these renovations
was planning for the 21st century,
and they spent a bundle doing it.
Get the lab looked into the
design this hardware.
And what company installed it.
Yes?
Mrs. Cartwright ?
Dr. Rollins, please come in.
You wanted to talk to me?
You come highly
recommended by Dr. Marlow,
but is all this really necessary?
It is, Mrs. Cartwright.
All is sneaking about its preposterous.
Mrs. Cartwright,
my team has found some odd electrical
installations in your house,
fiber optics,
state-of-the-art conduits.
What are you trying to tell me?
What if this phenomenon is not Robert?
I felt his presence.
Then help us prove what it really is.
Let us continue our work.
What do you want me to do?
Act as you always do.
Let's do the rest.
You won't even know we're here.
I hope you haven't scared him away.
I hope so too.
Camera 12 in position.
Here's the house.
Second floor east wing.
It's a subject under bedroom.
0100 hours, all stations check in.
Hold it ! All stations?
Sensors are picking up something.
Repeat, laser scan detecting
movement in the southwest quadrant.
*** Meet me in sector 7.
I'm going in.
We'll stay on the visuals.
It's starting.
We've detected electrical activity
in close proximity to the subject.
Confirming circuit surge.
Standing by.
Team fanning out.
I'm entering the location.
Any change ?
Something seems to be moving
through the walls of the structure.
Stand by for status upgrade.
Standing by.
What's Katherine doing ?
She seems fine.
Vital signs are still
within normal range.
Still no visuals on the phenomenon ?
I'm tracking out identified
movement in the southwest centre.
Katie, join me !
Katie, come to me !
I'm coming, Robert.
Katie !
Wait, wait, we've lost her.
What is saying ?
Oh, she just pulled off her electrodes.
Maintain visual surveillance.
Affirmative.
I'm inside.
Katie !
Come to me.
Katie, come to me.
Katie.
Come to me.
Katie.
Take my hand.
Yes, darling.
Robert !
Join me !
At last !
Katie !
Katie !
Stay down, Mrs. Cardwright.
Katie !
My vision disabled.
Donner, talk to me.
We're getting strong thermal
readings from your location.
How many figures on the scan?
Three.
Tighten the frame.
One floor, they are moving fast.
***
They just moved right past
you, heading southeast.
Wait, what's this?
I think I found the source.
I'm turning it down.
Location secured.
Donahue ?
The targets moving outside.
Security's on the way to intercept.
Don't even flinch.
They've got him.
Tomas, it was you !
Local law enforcement's on it way.
Contact Jeffrey Cardwright.
Tell him his mother
needs him right away.
Right.
Come to me.
Take my hand.
Katie,
join me.
Katie.
Damn wiring !
Welcome home, Mr. Cardwright.
Who the hell are you?
Friend of the family.
Jeffrey Cardwright.
You're under arrest for larceny
by scheme and aggravated assault.
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be
used against you when a court of law.
If you need it attorney, the
State will provide one for you.
Do you understand these rights?
Right from the start
you've suspected.
When Dr. Marlow first
showed me your tape,
I noticed how the camcorder
responded to the light show.
When we saw the flare, we needed to
investigate to be certain was a hoax.
Mrs. Cardwright, I'm sorry
for the way it turned out.
****
The money.
Oh, Jeffrey.
And I thought it was Robert.
I'm just a silly old fool.
No, Mrs. Cardwright.
I think maybe Robert, wherever his
spirit is, feels the same as you do.
A connection.
Final log.
Case number 44114.
Our investigation revealed
that Jeffrey Cardwright
had rigged the house with
state-of-the-art special effects.
It was all controlled
by one Thomas Regetti,
Jeffrey Cardwright's accomplice.
As so heir to the family fortune,
Cardwright admitted under police interrogation
that he intended to have his mother committed
after breaking down her
psychological stability.
Case manager, Curtis Rollins out.
The strange occurrences
at the Cartwright Mansion
had nothing in fact to do with the love
Catherine held for her deceased husband Robert.
They were a cruel and malicious hoax
engineered by her heartless and greedy son.
So perhaps it is not the ghosts of loved
ones we should be apprehensive about.
But rather the darker motives
of the living human heart.
I'm Dan Akroyd for Psi Factor.